City approves 2013 levy, prepares for new projects

On Tuesday evening, the Montevideo City Council took care of a number of business items, including approving the 2013 tax levy.

Jeremy Jones, staff writer

On Tuesday evening, the Montevideo City Council took care of a number of business items, including approving the 2013 tax levy.

The 2013 tax levy comes to $1,866,700, which is the same as the preliminary budget proposed in September. This reflects an increase from the 2012 tax levy of $1,812,300.

The levy includes the general operating fund — which consists of the general fund, library levy and Economic Development Authority — of $1,273,700. It also includes a specy levy for tax abatement of $3,000 and $590,000 for debt service.

The city also approved the 2013 budget, which shows revenues at $11,919,305 and expenditures at $11,832,473.

In other business, the city council agreed to a request to add street lights along Town Road. Five street lights will be added, along with another two on Ridgeview Drive. To help defer the costs of such a project, street lights are being moved from Smith Addition, where some of the streets have been abandoned.

Plans were also made to move forward with some of the proposed street projects for 2013. Street improvements will be done on Sheridan Avenue, from Eleventh Street to Seventeenth Street (estimated cost of $565,000), Park Avenue from Ninth Street to 17 Street (estimated cost of $693,000) and the fairgrounds entrance off Trunk Highway 2012 (estimated cost of $15,000). There will also be paving done at Smith Park and the Cemetery (estimated cost of $50,000). All of the projects are estimated to cost a total of $1,323,000.

For more on this story and others subscribe or pick up a copy of the Montevideo American-News.